Linda,
Thank you so much for responding to my question. The admissions process is not always full proof in every situation.
Cindy Bryant
True. We do have the Wonderlic, and HESI testing for Nursing, so often the student can meet the entrance requirements. However, we find that they struggle due to being unprepared for the rigors of certain programs.
Linda,
It is critical that students are 'matched' with the appropriate program. Most schools have different levels of entrance exams that pre-qualify students for programs such as nursing. How does your school handle entering into different types of courses?
Cindy Bryant
I have noticed a trend wheras the students dropping have been due to failing or not meeting SAP. This is a clear indicator that they are not in the right program and perhaps time was not taken up front in the intial interview.
i.e.when students realize they can become a nurse they want to quickly enroll in that program...and many fail because this was not the best match for them. Some hate Math, some cannot deal with the hours, for some it has been a long time since they have been in school, etc.
Many of these students would succeed after completing another program, like medical assisting first. This would allow them to gain confidence in their ability to return to school as well as provide a medical background.
Alexander,
That's great! I noticed that you have been posting in the Career College Lounge. The Lounge is a wonderful way to stay connected.
Cindy Bryant
The graduates in my field are a small number, so an instructor in my field is even more difficult to find. Connecting with other teachers, regardless of specialty, has proven to be enlightening and inspiring.
Alexander,
Fantastic! I am very happy to see that you have been able to profit from the ideas people have shared in the forums.
Cindy Bryant
A great idea I read in a forum was the application process included a career projection from the applicant. That way, we could see if the expectation of the applicant met the program, or at least grounded the applicant in the program's scope.
It's rare, but it happens. Some don't even start the first day due to financial difficulties, family medical situations, or guilt. Of the people who left on his own, I believe that student was lying to himself about what the program offered.
A breakdown in expectations. Dissatisfaction with the program, the school, or an unresolved complaint. Financial issues. Family obligations. Other interests. Lost interest. Lack of true commitment.
David,
How can you motivate your students to push through when they feel overwhelmed. As a learning institution what can we learn from our student's behaviors?
Cindy Bryant
Students withdraw because they may feel overwhelmed or they just lack the motivation to continue.
The majority of our students end up dropping out before graduation because “life gets in the wayâ€, which makes it so important for us to be transparent as to what will be expected of the student during their time in school and to ensure that the students have contingencies in place in case of the obstacles that will undoubtable crop up.
I believe most students withdraw because they lack the skills to satisfactorily deal with issues causing their decision to withdraw. This is true if the student has personal problems, problems with school personnel, or with their own skill levels within the classroom.
If the school has established and communicated to the students a network of support for the students to access resources to help them solve problems, there may be a positive resolution to their problems. They would feel empowered; having solved their own problems, and hopefully, act accordingly the next time one of life's hurdles emerges.
Jeffrey,
How could an institution better support their students to help them stay in school?
Cindy Bryant
Students withdraw from institution due to lack of support internally and externally.
Belinda,
We all agree that life can happen to anyone. It is critical that an admissions representative be able to determine why a student wants to enroll. This factor is very important in regard to students mindset as to whether or not school will be a priority.
Cindy Bryant
I feel that students enroll for the wrong reason. I would say that in admissions we really need to find out the core of why a student really wants to enroll into thye school. I also feel that when student enroll they may really want to succed at that time but then life happens and they have no transportation, or they get pregnant, or they lose their home, have no sitter...etc..
Judy,
Thank you for sharing your viewpoint. You mention that it is hard in the beginning to determine why a student wants to come to school and I would like to share why I feel this is so. When students meet with their admissions representative/agent they are given a summary of what will take place that day; tour; assessment; program discussion; AND (for some) they are told that there is an acceptance process. The acceptance process places the student in a situation where they feel as if they are auditioning for the admissions representatives. This equates to the students saying everything that the rep wants to hear to be accepted. At the end of the day the student may not be able to sustain their commitment due to life's challenges.
Cindy Bryant
Well we have encounter numerous students enrolling for the wrong reasons like probation and child care. Than again we have students that really want to better themselves, but have not been able to finish to do illness or money issues. It's really hard to determine at the beggining what are the real reasons that students want to come to school, but if we were able to know this imporatnat information this will cut our drop rate tremendously.
